5.07.2015

May 6, 2015

White Dog was sympathetic. Bella and Puff stayed close to their sister, Storm's side. "She was doing so well," YoYoMa asked, "what happened?"

I was on the phone with Dr. Julia's office. Our Gentle Storm was suffering from a setback. We had found blood in her stool and her backside was raw from looseness. "Getting Storm stable and regular is a process," Dr. Julia told me in an attempt to comfort. "It took me more than six months to get my mastiff's colitis straightened out when he came to me." That made me feel slightly better.

She told me that the weather, especially the storms that make Storm so agitated and fearful, plays a part in upsetting her hair trigger balance. So does Taiko's difficulties of the past week. Besides, she added, it is the nature of colitis to be somewhat chronic; our best hope is to provide gut bacteria and a healthy diet that keeps the recurrences rare.

She has prescribed the addition of Tylan powder to Storm's meals three times a day. Since the White Dog Army only eats two meals plus treat time, Little Miss Storm's treat time will be changed to be a small amount of kibble and her meds. "That's not fair!" complained Zsofia. "Really, Little Sister," White Dog told her, "you would prefer a few spoons of kibble and medicine to jerky?" "Oh," Zso responded. "I thought she was getting both."

We are hoping that this and less stressful weather (and Tai's improving health, but more on that tomorrow) will help our tiniest gentle girl move forward again on the road to controlling her disease.

The past two days have seen a lot of bottom cleanups to keep Storm clean and comfortable. She is a trooper.